Sheet-feeding mechanism



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 c. H. NITSCH ET AL SHEET FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 19, 1925 Sept. 18, 1928.

Z AZN/VfNTOR A1 5%. @J 1- (5%! iZLATTORNEY.

BY M

Sept. 18, 1928.

1,684,741 c. H. NITSCH ET AL SHEET FEEDING MECHANI SM Filed Jan. 19, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 N INVENTORS mfl- 1 BY MM7-M m ATTORNEY.

Sept. 18, 1928. 1,684,741

0. H. NITSCH ET AL SHEET FEEDING MECHANI SM Filed Jan- 19, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 {a #IN/fVENTORS Z #44 BY M4 2 M A TTORNE Y.

Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

1,684,741 PATENT OFFICE.

' UNITED STATES CHARLES H. NITSCH AND JOSEPH w. BAKER, or PHILADELPJ'IIA, @E'NN'SYIJVANI'A, ASSIGNORS T STOKES AND SMITH COMPANY, or PHiTJADEL'rfiiA, PENNSYLVL NIA, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

SHEET-FEEDING MECHANISM.

Application filed January 19, 1925.- Serial N0. 8,316.

Our invention relates to mechanisms for feeding in succession, sheets of material for any suitable purpose, and particularly for feedingsheets of paper or the like in a machinelfor applying adhesive to the sheets.

In accordancewith our invention there is provided mechanism for feeding sheets in succession from a stack thereof, and particularly utilizable with sheets which do l0 not lie flat but are deformed, as by'curling or analoguous effects, characterized by the provision of yielding or resilient holding means bearing upon the stack and the utilization of a suction roll with mechanism for controlling and operating the same, in such manner thatthe roll is a)plied to the stack ata substantial distance rom an edge there of and in moving from that position withdraws tl esheet from thestack and delivers itto additional sheet feeding mechanism.

I Further in accordance with our invention, the suction roll is associated with a tongue and feed roll, in combination with means for moving the tongue and feed roll as a unit with respect to the stack and to a fixed feed roll, and for moving the suction roll with respect to the stack in a path inclined with respect to the level of the stack, and with respect to the path of movement of the tongue and feed roll.

Further in accordance with our invention, the table or support for the stack is automatically elevated in response to decrease in number of sheets in the stack under the control of a member movable as a unit with the aforesaid tongue and feed roll and moved into engagement with the stack adjacent its edge or place of application of the suction roll in response to movement of said unit for effecting control of the mechanism which advances the table or support.

Structure of this character is utilizable, particularly in those cases where the sheets are of different thicknesses at or adjacent their edges and at'or adjacent their centers, as in the case of embossed sheets. For this purpose, the stack engaging member, by virtue ofits inclusion in the unit with the tongue and feed roll, engages the stack at or adjacent its edge, as distinguished from an area thereof more remote from the edge.

Our invention resides in mechanism of a character hereinafter described and claimed.

.For illustration of one of the various forms our invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in vertical section on the linel -l of 2;

Fig. i is a top plan View, partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 I x F ig. 3 is a front elevational View, partly in section on the line 3 3 of-Fig. 1.

F ig. 4 is a side elevationalyiew, partly in section on the line of Fig. '2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section, partly in plan of the brush holder structure.

Referring to the drawings, there are sup ported upon the base or frame 1 channel shaped track members 2 in which roll in a rectilinear path the rolls 3 mounted upon stub shafts i, mountedupon and supporting the carriage 5. Secured upon the rock shaft 6 arethe levers to whose upper ends there are pivoteda't 8 the link structures 9, pivoted to the carriage 5 at 10, whereby-the carriage 5 and the partsv supported thereon are re ciprocated forwardly and backwardly for each sheet fed.

Upon the. vertically movahletableor sup port 11, is disposed the stack S of sheets to be removed therefrom in succession.- By mechanism hereinafter described, the table 11 is moved upwardly as the stack 3 diminishes in thickness in such wise as to cause engagement of the stack with the yielding or flexible members as bristle brushes 12, which serve to apply a resilient force upon the sheets at the front end of the stack to preventtbe sheets from bowing or curling, or in general, to maintain the sheets in the stack sufficiently flat and there by preventing feeding more than one sheet at a time. The brushes lQ are carried by the member or brush holder 13, adjustable toward and away from the stationary plate 14 carried by the frame 1 upon pins 15 carried by the member l t and surrounded by helical springs 16 held in compressionbetween the members 13 and 14. Adjustment of the brush holder 13 is effected by screws 17 threaded into the member 13 and engaging the plate 14.

Disposed upon the carriage 5 are upwardly and rearwardly extending arms 18 in which is pivoted the shaft 19 upon which are secured the forwardly extending arms in which pivoted the suctioif roll 21 provided' atits opposite ends with rollers 22 rolling in the rectilinear channels 23 in the gaideor. track members 24 disposed in fired position upon and with respect to the frame 1. Adjacent to its middle, the suction roll 21 is provided with a portion 25 of enlarged diameter having afcuppedface 26, with which communicates the suction P 27 eommunicating"with the'*bore"28 which is in continuous communication through the passage 29 with-the stationary suction tilbe 30==and flexible tube 30 con nected,- as i hereinafter *des'crib'ed, with a vacuum pump. I v 1 Extending transversely and secured to the carriage member's 5'at opposite sides of the machine, is a' bar'31-upo'n' which' are supported the bearings- 32 for-the idler feed roIls='-33;"'Su orted upon the bar 31 at 34 is the tongue'or guide member 35 whose rear-edge 36 presented to the sheets as they are lifted'by suction roll 21, and 'whose surface 37' guides the sheet to the feed roll Supported upon the frame l-and positively, driven, isthe :feed 'roll '38 between which and'the feed-roll 33, each sheet is clamped as it'is withdrawn frontthe stack and fed by thei rolls33-an'd'38 to the feedrolls'39 and "-'40-,.-'driven and idling, respectively",

J whichadvancethe sheet from the guide member'41 to the glue or adhesive distribub ing roll 42'a'nd the'co-actingguide'roller 43. These rolls advance the sheet onto the conveyor belt44 which passes over the roller 45, as well understood in the art.

chamber 46 to atmosphere thereby discontinuing suction upon the suction roll 21.

Upon the bar 31 are carried the bearings 52'for the shaft '53 upon which issecu'red the arm 54' in whose outer end is threaded the screw 55 provided with collars 56 and 57 between which is disposed the outer end 58 "of the-arm'59' loosely pivoted upon the shaft 53 and extending rearwardly to form the feeler or stack-contacting member 60. Coiled about the shaft 53 is the spring 61, one end of which is secured to the bearing block -52='and"whose"other end is secured to the arm 62 secured-to the shaft 53 and carrying at its outer end the plunger 63 which is adapted to engage the plate 14 upon rearward movement of the carriage 5. The spring 64 disposed within-the arm 62 iscompressed upon engagement of the member 63 w itli the plate 14 and retiurns the plunger 63 upon return forward movement of the carriage 5. Adjacent the side of the machine, there is securedupon shaft 53 the lever arm 65 which when rotatingin counter-clockwise direction vas-viewed in Fig. 4, upon rearward movementof carriage 5 engages, under circumstances hereinafter to be described, and depresses the forward end of the lever"66,- pivoted to the frame at 67. Pivotcd to the lever 66 at 68 is the vertically movable plunger 69, 'uponfwhic'h'is carried the adjustable abutment 70 adapted to engage and depress the rod 71 ;to effect, well understood in the art, actuation of the trip pawl 71 to effect step-by-s'tep rotation of the ratchet wheel 71" by'the dog 71 oscillated through the rod 71 by the rock shaft 6. Theratehet wheel 71 effects the step-by-step rotation of the gear 72 secured upon-theshaft 73' by means of which, through rack and pinion'not shown, the table 11 is elevated a step at 'a' time.

The operation isas follows: I

The parts are indicated in Fig. 1 in their positions at the beginning of a cycle, the carriage-5 and parts carried thereby being attheir extrem'e'forward position. Shortly'before the c rria e s reaches its exttreme forward position, member'50'has been withdrawn from themember 51,"causing closure of the valve 49and therefore exertion of suction upon the suction-roller port 26 effecting suctioniof 'air therethrough. As the carriage 5'and therefore the suction roller 10a 21 approaches the forward limit of its travel, the roller 21 is broughtsufliciently'close to the stack S to suck up the uppermost sheet and hold-it to the enlarged portion 25 of the suction roller. Thereafter the carriage moves rearwardly, drawing the sheet along, accompanied by an upward and rearwardmovement of the roller 21' as induced by movement of its rolls 22 in the upwardly and rearwardly inclined track channels 23, 1!" and simultaneously, the roller 21 is rotated in counter-clockwise direction, because of the rotation imparted thereto by the gear 74 secured to the roller 21 and meshing with the rack 75 extending upwardly and rearwardly 11! parallel with the track channel 23. Accordingly the sheet held by suction to the roller 21 is wrapped partially around the roller, and withdrawn from beneath the brushes 12, in'which position'the'forward (right) 11" end of the sheet is directed upwardly toward the right, Fig. 1.

After predetermined extent of rearward movement of the carriage 5 and roller 21, the valve 49 is actuated, breaking the vacuum and releasing the sheet from the roller 21, whereupon the forwardend of the sheet falls upon the guide surface 37 of the member 35. Continued rearward movement of the carriag 5 moves the tongue 35 with reroller 33 comes into contact with the driven feed roller 38, it is clamped between them and advanced upwardly toward the right by the counter-clockwise rotation of roller 38, and delivered between feed rolls 39 and 40 over the guide 41, between the rolls 42 and id-and-thence on to theconveyor belt 44 by which it is delivered to the box wrap ping machine or any other destination.

he rearward stroke of the carriage 5 is now completed and it therefore returns to its forward position indicated and immediately before completion of its forward movement a; new=cyc1e of operations is begun for feeding thenextsucceeding sheet.

In the :operations described, the brushes 12 insure that a single sheet only will bepicked up by suction roll 21 and.- delivered to the succeeding feeding elements.

Theinclination. of the path of movement on the suction roll is desirable and effective because of the presence of the brushes 12, and because further, the recession of the suction roller from the stack is desirable or necessary in those cases where the sheets consist of soft material or are thicker at their central areas than at their edges, as in the case of embossed sheets.

The rock shaft 6, Fig. 4 impart-s successive rotary movements to the shaft 73 causing successive small upward movements of the table orsupport 11 so long as the lever 66 is depressed, which occurs when upon rear ward and downward movement of the feeler member-60, there is not imparted thereby through the member 62 and shaft 53 suitable great downward movement of the member 65. Accordingly as the height of the stack S decreases as the result of withdrawal of the successive sheets therefrom the member 60 is deflected sufficiently to cause deflection of the lever 66, and thereby cause resumption of upward feed of the table 11.

Upon exhaustion of the stack S, when no sheets-remain upon the table 11, the feeler member 60 engages the table 11, thereby preventing sufiicient angular movement of the member 60 to prevent depression of the member 66, and'so discontinuing and preventing further upward feed of the table 11.

Inasmuch as it is desirable to effect control of the upward feed of the table 11 from that portion of the upper face of the stack S at which the suction is applied for picking up sheets, the table feed control member 60 18 mounted upon the carriage 5 or moves as a unit with the tongue 35 and feed roll 33, in order that the table feed shall depend upon changes in height of stack adjacent the edge thereof particularly in case of sheets of greater or different thickness at their mid dles as compared with the thickness at their edges, as in the case of embossed box wrappeIiS, or as in the case of sheets of soft materia It is further desirable tomount the table control member 60 upon the carriage due to the fact that it is essential that the mem-- ber 60 be removed from the path of the sheet next to be picked up. That is 'to'say, the member 60 must be moved forward to operative position with respect to the-stack, and withdrawn therefrom between the withdrawals from the stack of successive'sheets.

What we claim is 1. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising means engaging the top of the stack adjacent an edge -thereof, suction means for picking a sheet from the top of the stack, and means for impart i-ng movement to said suction means in a path inclined with respect to the top-of the stack for withdrawing the sheet therefrom,

2. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising means engaging the top of the stack adjacent an edge thereof, suction means for picking a sheet from the top of the stack, and means for imparting to said suction means a motion of rotation and a motion of translation in a path inclined to the top of the stack for withdrawing the sheet from the stack. V

8. Apparatus for feeding sheets from-a stack thereof comprising meansfyieldin'gly engaging the top of the stack adjacent an edge thereof, suction meansfifor picking a sheet from the top of the stack, and means for imparting to said suction means a motion of rotation and a motion of translation in a path inclined to the top of the stack for withdrawing the sheet therefrom.

4. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising brush structure ongaging the top of the stack adjacent an edge thereof, suction means for picking a sheet from the top of the stack, and means for imparting to said suction means a motion of rotation and a motion oftranslation in a path inclined to the top of the stack for withdrawing the sheet therefrom.

5. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising means engaging the top of the stack adjacent an edge thereof, a holder for said stacleengaging means, a fixed member, means for adjusting said. holder with respect to said fixed member to effect adjustment of the extent of projection of said stack-engaging means over the edge of the stack, suction means for picking a sheet from the top of the stack, and means for inrparting movement to said suction means to withdraw the: sheet from said stack-engaging means.

6. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising means engaging the top of the stack adjacent an edge thereof, 'a holder fo'r'said: stack-engaging means, a fixed member-,- means vfor adjusting said holder with respect to said fixed member to effect adjustment of the extent of projection of said-stack-engaging means ever the edge of the stack, suction-means: for picking a sheet from the top of the stack, means'for imparting movement to said suction-"means to withdraw the sheet.:from said-stack-engaging means, and-means for feeding the stack upwardly to ward said stack-engaging means. i .7

7. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and'forwardly with respect .to the'stack, and :a suction-roll movable with said carriage andmo'vablein path at an angle to the pathof movement of said carriage. I ,V-

8. Apparatus forfeeding sheets-from a stack thereofcomprising a'carriage movable backwardly and forwardly in a path substantially parallel with the upper face .of the stack, and asuction'roll movable with said carriage and with respect to said carriage in a path inclinedwith respect to the-'upper face of the-stack. i' t 9.- Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising acarriage movable backwardly'andforwardly with respect to the stack, a suction roll movable with said carriage and movable in a path at anfangle to'the path-of movement-of said carriage, and means for rotating said roll while.moving in said path I F v 10.-.-Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly in a path substantially parallel with the upper face of the stack, a suction'roll movable with said carriage and with respect to said carriage in a path inclined with respect to the upper face of the stack, and means for rotating said roll while moving in said path.

11. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack comprising a member for picking a sheet from the stack movable in a direction having components parallel and at right angles to a face of the stack, and a guide member for thesheet movable with respect to the stack andwith'respect to which said member is movable. I

12. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack comprising a member for picking a sheet from the stack movable in a direction having components parallel and at right angles to a face of the stack, a guide member for the sheet movable with respect to the stack, and a feed roll movable with said guide member.

13. Apparatus for feeding sheets froma stack thereof comprising a suction roll movable in a direction having components parallel and at right angles to a face of the stack, and a guide member for the sheet movable withrespect'to the. stack and with respect to-which said roll is movable.

1% Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a suction roll movable in a direction having components parallel and. at right angles to a face of the stack, a guide member forthe sheet movable with respect'to the stack,'and a. feed roll movable with said guide member.

I V 15.= Apparatus for feeding sheets from a Stacithereof comprising asuction roll movable in adirection having components parallel .and at right angles-ito a face of the staclqa guide member movable with respect to thezstack, and with respect to which said roll is movable, I and vmeans :for rotating) said suction roll; 7 ;v

l6. Apparatus for feeding sheets from-ea stack thereof comprisin'gaxsuction roll movable .in direction-,-having. components parallel andv at rightangles to awfacec of the stack, a guide member for the sheet movable with respect to:the stack, 'a feed'roll movable withsaidguidemember, and means for rotating' 'said-suction roll.

HlT-Apparatus 'forfeeding sheets from a staclcthereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and? forwardly with respect to the; stack; amember mounted on said carriage -for;picking a sheet fromthe stack, means for imparting to said member movement in a direction at anangle tothe direction of-movement of said carriage, and a coacting guide member. on said carriage.

- 18." Apparatus-for. feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly. .WltlPIBSPGCt to the stack, amember mounted'on said carriage forkpicking a vsheet from the stack, means for imparting to said member movement in a-direction at an angle tothe-direction'of movement ofsaid carriage, a co-acting guide-member on said carriage, and a feed roll on said carriage;

l9. Apparatus for feeding sheet-sfrom a stack thereof comprising. a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly with respect to the stack, a suction roll on said carriage and movable in a direction at an angle to the direction of movement of said carriage, means for rotating said roll, anda co-acting guide member on said carriage. 20. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof-comprising a carriage, movable backwardly and forwardly with respect to the stack,- a suction roll on said carriage, and a fixed member enforcing movement of said roll with respect to said carriage in a direction at an angle to the directionof movement of'said carriage.

21.. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly with respect to the stack, a suction roll on said carriage, a fixed member enforcing movement of said roll with respect to said carriage in a direction at an angle to the direction of movemerit of said carriage, and means for rotating said roll, 7,

22. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly with respect to the stack, a suction roll on said carriage, a fiit'ed member enforcingmovement of said roll with respect to said carriage in a direct-ionat an angle to the direction of movefneiitof said earriage,-and a guide member co-acting with said roll and movable with said carriage. H

23. Apparatus for feeding sheetsfrom a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwaidly and forwardly with respect to the stack,- a suction roll on said carriage, a fixed member enforcing movement of said roll with respect to said carriage in a direction at an angle to the direction of movement of said, carriage, means for rotating said roll, and a guide member co-acting with said roll and movable with said carriage.

24. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly in a path substantially parallel with a face of the stack, a member pivoted on said carriage, a suction roll carried by said member, and means causing pivotal movement of said member with respect to said carriage to effect movement of said roll with respect to said carriage in a'path at an angle to the path of movement of said carriage.

25. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly in a path substantially parallel with a face of the stack, a member pivoted on said carriage, a suction roll carried by said member, means causing pivotal movement of said member with respect to said carriage to effect moven'ient of said roll with respect to said carriage in a path at an angle to the path of movement of said carriage, and means for rotating said roll.

26. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly in a path substantially parallel with a face of the stack, a member pivoted on said carriage, a suction roll carried by said member, means causing pivotal movement of said member with respect to said carriage to effect movement of said roll with respect to said carriage in a path at an angle to the path of movement of said carriage, means for rotating said roll, and a guide member eo-acting with said roll mounted on said carriage.

27. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable backwardly and forwardly in a path substantially parallel with a face of the stack, a member pivoted on said carriage, a suction roll carried by, said member, means causing pivotal movement of said 'member with respect to said carriage to effect movement of said roll with respect to saidqcar.- riage in a path atan angle to thepath of movement of said carriage, means for rotating said roll, a guide member eo-acting with said roll niountedon said carriage,-.and a feed roll mountedon said carriage; t

28. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising sheet-picking means, feeding mechanism for-effecting approach toward each other of said means and stack, and means controlling said feeding mechanism comprising a member movable toward and away from the stack along, a path substantially parallel with the top of the stack and intov engagement with the stack. y I

29. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising sheet-picking means, feedingmechanismfor effecting ap proach towardeach other of said means and stack, and means controlling said feeding mechanism comprising a member, means for imparting to said member a motion of translation toward and away from the stack, and means for imparting to said member a motion of rotation into engagement with the stack.

30. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising sheet-picking means, feeding mechanism for effecting approach toward each other of said means and stack, and means controlling said feeding mechanism comprising a member, means for imparting to said member a motion of translation toward and away from the stack, means for imparting to said member a motion of rotation into engagement with the 1 stack, and means operative in response to predetermined extent of said motion of rotation to effect control of said feeding mech- 31118111.

31. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising sheet-picking means, feeding mechanism for effecting approach toward each other of said means and stack, a carriage movable toward and away from said stack, and means controlling said feeding mechanism comprising a member pivoted on said carriage and adapted to engage the stack.

32. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising sheet-picking means, feeding mechanism for effecting approach toward each other of said means and stack, a carriage movable toward and away from said stack, and means controlling said feeding mechanism comprising a member pivoted on said carriage, and means for rotating said member into engagement with the stack comprising an abutment, and a member iww ",ble with said carriage into engagemen .vi 11 said abutment.

33. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a movable carriage, a suction roll on said carriage for picking a sheet from the top of the stack, mechanism for fecding the stack upwardly toward said roll, and means for controlling said feeding mechanism comprising a member pivotedon said carriage, means'for deflecting said mem-- bertoward the stack adjacent the edge thereof in response to movement of said carriage toward the stack, andmeans effecting co'ntrolof said feedin mechanism controlled bys'aid pivoted mem er.

i '34. A'pparatusfor feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising a carriage movable toward and away from the stack, a suction roll on' said carriage, means for imparting-to said'rollmovement in a direction at an angle'with respect to the direction of movement of said carriage, said roll' ada'pted to co-operate with the stack adjacent an edge thereof for picking a sheet therefrom, a co-acting guide member movable with said carriage, mechanis'm'for feeding the stack toward said suction roll, and means for controlling saidpfeeding mechanism comprising a mem'ber "pivoted upon said carriage and movable thereby to a position over the stack adjacent said edge, means responsive to movement of said carriage for deflecting said pivoted'men'iber toward the face of the st-aclg'and'm'eans' responsi've to predetermined pivotal movement "of said member effecting control of said feeding mechanism. 35. Apparatus for feeding sheets from a stack thereof comprising means engaging the top of-the stack adjacent an edgethereof, suction means adapted to engage the top sheet of'said stack adjacent said edge, and means for imparting movement to said suction means to jand'awa y from said edge along apath inclined with respect to'thc top of the stack for withdrawing said sheet from engagement by said fir'st'means.

CHARLES'H. NrrsoH. JOSEPH wgsnnnn- 

